Project team builder
Encyclopedia
Project team builder is a project management simulation tool developed for training and teaching the concepts of project management
. A number of published books and academic papers are based on the PTB and its predecessors. The PTB won the Project Management Institute
Professional Development Product of the Year Award.
The PTB is used in universities and business organizations around the world. The simulator is based on an approach that separates the simulation
engine from the scenario editor and allows each user (or teacher) to simulate any project. The simulation engine simulates the dynamic stochastic nature of modern projects.
The design of the PTB supports the system engineering approach to Problem solving
as each scenario presents the requirements, the alternatives that can be selected and the constraints imposed on the solution. The user has to trade off the cost, schedule, risk, and benefits to the stake holders and to find a feasible, robust, good solution for the scenario. The solution is then simulated by the simulation engine while the trainee exercises monitoring and control throughout the execution. Another characteristic of the simulator is the ability to save points in the history of each run for future analysis or even for testing a different solution from any of the points saved.
It was used to train students at the Technion and project teams from the Israel Electric Corporation
. Based on extensive research on simulation-based training the Technion team expanded the PTB to include history mechanisms and a scenario builder with which the trainee can import real project files and simulate these projects.
In 2008 the PTB won the Project Management Institute Product of the Year award .
nature of real projects. The user has to continuously monitor the project and react to the non-deterministic events. The project fails if the cash flow runs negative. Once the user completes the project a final score is presented based on benefits and costs of the solution.
The topics covered by the PTB are:
is scheduled to be published by Springer Science+Business Media
in September 2011.
Research based on the PTB was conducted at the Technion, Pennsylvania State University
, Drexel University
and Australian National University
. Some of this research was published in scientific Journals:
Project management
Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end , undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value...
. A number of published books and academic papers are based on the PTB and its predecessors. The PTB won the Project Management Institute
Project Management Institute
The Project Management Institute is a not-for-profit professional organization for the project management profession with the purpose of advancing project management.- Overview :...
Professional Development Product of the Year Award.
The PTB is used in universities and business organizations around the world. The simulator is based on an approach that separates the simulation
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
engine from the scenario editor and allows each user (or teacher) to simulate any project. The simulation engine simulates the dynamic stochastic nature of modern projects.
The design of the PTB supports the system engineering approach to Problem solving
Problem solving
Problem solving is a mental process and is part of the larger problem process that includes problem finding and problem shaping. Consideredthe most complex of all intellectual functions, problem solving has been defined as higher-order cognitive process that requires the modulation and control of...
as each scenario presents the requirements, the alternatives that can be selected and the constraints imposed on the solution. The user has to trade off the cost, schedule, risk, and benefits to the stake holders and to find a feasible, robust, good solution for the scenario. The solution is then simulated by the simulation engine while the trainee exercises monitoring and control throughout the execution. Another characteristic of the simulator is the ability to save points in the history of each run for future analysis or even for testing a different solution from any of the points saved.
History
The simulator was initially developed in the early nineties as the project management trainer at the Technion.It was used to train students at the Technion and project teams from the Israel Electric Corporation
Israel Electric Corporation
Israel Electric Corporation is the main supplier of electrical power in Israel.IEC builds, maintains and operates power generation stations, sub-stations, as well as the transmission and distribution networks....
. Based on extensive research on simulation-based training the Technion team expanded the PTB to include history mechanisms and a scenario builder with which the trainee can import real project files and simulate these projects.
In 2008 the PTB won the Project Management Institute Product of the Year award .
Software
The PTB allows the user to to create their own projects or to load predefined projects and simulate the planning and execution of those projects. The user starts by creating a plan for the project by choosing different modes of execution, assigning task start times, managing resources, etc. After the plan is ready the user can advance the simulation time. The PTB engine randomly generates different parameters to simulate the stochasticStochastic
Stochastic refers to systems whose behaviour is intrinsically non-deterministic. A stochastic process is one whose behavior is non-deterministic, in that a system's subsequent state is determined both by the process's predictable actions and by a random element. However, according to M. Kac and E...
nature of real projects. The user has to continuously monitor the project and react to the non-deterministic events. The project fails if the cash flow runs negative. Once the user completes the project a final score is presented based on benefits and costs of the solution.
The topics covered by the PTB are:
- Project planningProject planningProject planning is part of project management, which relates to the use of schedules such as Gantt charts to plan and subsequently report progress within the project environment....
- ScopeScopeThe word scope may refer to many different devices or viewing instruments, constructed for many different purposes. It may refer to a telescopic sight, an optical device commonly used on firearms. Other uses of scope or Scopes may refer to:...
and requirements managementRequirements managementRequirements management is the process of documenting, analyzing, tracing, prioritizing and agreeing on requirements and then controlling change and communicating to relevant stakeholders. It is a continuous process throughout a project... - Cost–benefit analysis
- Project monitoring
- Project control
- Resource managementResource managementIn organizational studies, resource management is the efficient and effective deployment of an organization's resources when they are needed. Such resources may include financial resources, inventory, human skills, production resources, or information technology...
- Cash management
- Risk managementRisk managementRisk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...
- SchedulingSchedulingScheduling is the process of deciding how to commit resources between a variety of possible tasks. Time can be specified or floating as part of a sequence of events.The word may also refer to:...
Publications
The book "Project Management Simulation with PTB Project Team Builder"is scheduled to be published by Springer Science+Business Media
Springer Science+Business Media
- Selected publications :* Encyclopaedia of Mathematics* Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete * Graduate Texts in Mathematics * Grothendieck's Séminaire de géométrie algébrique...
in September 2011.
Research based on the PTB was conducted at the Technion, Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
and Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. Some of this research was published in scientific Journals:
- "Simulation-based Learning: The Learning-Forgetting-Relearning Process and Impact of Learning History" – this study focused on the development and application of History mechanisms for Simulation Based Training. Different types of such mechanisms were tested in a controlled experiment and evaluated based on their effectiveness as TrainingTrainingThe term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...
tools. - "The Impact of Functional Fidelity in Simulator based Learning of Project Management" – this study focused on the importance of flexibility in generating scenarios for Simulation Based Training. As a result of this study the simulation engine and the scenario editor were separated to allow the trainee to develop the scenario that fits his needs in the best possible way.
- "Comparing Competitive and Cooperative Strategies for Learning Project Management" – this study compared teaching strategies in Simulation Based Training environments. A controlled ExperimentExperimentAn experiment is a methodical procedure carried out with the goal of verifying, falsifying, or establishing the validity of a hypothesis. Experiments vary greatly in their goal and scale, but always rely on repeatable procedure and logical analysis of the results...
revealed that a mixed strategy is preferred starting with individual training and moving to TeamworkTeamworkTeamwork is action performed by a team towards a common goal. A team consists of more than one person, each of whom typically has different responsibilities....
where weak students work with strong performers as teams. - "Guest Editorial: The Use of Simulation in Learning and Teaching" – this special issue focused on the use of Simulation Based Training for Engineering educationEngineering educationEngineering education is the activity of teaching knowledge and principles related to the professional practice of engineering. It includes the initial education for becoming an engineer and any advanced education and specialization that follow...
. A large variety of applications is present along with some important insight for future development. - "Simulator-based Team Training to Share Resources in a Matrix Structure Organization" – this study focused on the use of Simulation Based Training for team training by simulation in the Matrix organization. Communication issues and planning issues were investigated in a controlled ExperimentExperimentAn experiment is a methodical procedure carried out with the goal of verifying, falsifying, or establishing the validity of a hypothesis. Experiments vary greatly in their goal and scale, but always rely on repeatable procedure and logical analysis of the results...
. - "Adding Value to Earned Value Analysis" – this study focused on the use of Simulation Based Training for training in Earned Value Analysis. This monitoring and control aspect of Project managementProject managementProject management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end , undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value...
is hard to teach in a regular lecture and Simulation Based Training provides an ideal setting for training and analysis. - "Managing Projects in a Matrix Organization: Simulation Based Training" – this paper focuses on the training of project managers in matrix organizations and the need to share resources among projects that are performed simultaneously.
- "Teaching Project Management with PTB Project Team Builder" – this paper focuses on the recommended application of PTB in training of project managers and project teams.
See also
- SimulationSimulationSimulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
- Project ManagementProject managementProject management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end , undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value...
- Project Management SimulatorProject Management SimulatorProject management simulation is simulation used for project management training and analysis.Project management simulation is often used as training simulation for project managers...
- Training simulationTraining simulationA training simulation is a virtual medium through which various types of skills can be acquired. Training simulations can be used in a wide variety of genres; however they are most commonly used in corporate situations to improve business awareness and management skills...
- Business simulation
- System Engineering
- Business gameBusiness gameBusiness game refers to simulation games that are used at an educational tool for teaching business. Business games may be carried out for various business training such as: general management, finance, organizational behaviour, human resources, etc...
- Serious gameSerious gameA serious game is a game designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment. The "serious" adjective is generally prepended to refer to products used by industries like defense, education, scientific exploration, health care, emergency management, city planning, engineering, religion,...
- GamificationGamificationGamification is the use of game design techniques and mechanics to solve problems and engage audiences. Typically gamification applies to non-game applications and processes , in order to encourage people to adopt them...